Rutland & Melton MP "deeply unhappy" with Downing St party revelations
Alicia Kearns took to Facebook to explain her view on allegations of several parties held at Number 10.
Last updated 26th Jan 2022
Rutland and Melton's MP has addressed the latest allegations surrounding parties at Downing Street, after returning from a trip to Ukraine.
Last week it was reported she attended a meeting with several other Conservative MPs to discuss the matter, but she's denied being part of a "coup".
Today will be the first time the Prime Minister will be in the Commons since allegations about him attending a lockdown party for his birthday emerged.
It's expected Sue Gray's report into that party and several other alleged events will be published this week, perhaps as soon as today (26/1).
In a Facebook post, Ms Kearns said: "I expect that many of you have read my name in the news over the last week or so, regarding a private meeting of Conservative MPs. "
"I think residents know how let down I have felt over the last few weeks, and that I have been deeply unhappy with the revelations of events, which if accurately depicted demonstrate an indifference towards the sacrifices made by us all to protect one another and adhere to the restrictions that were in place.
"These are important matters that require discussion, not press speculation. I make no apology for meeting with my colleagues, but it was not a coup or any such activity despite the mischief of the media or certain actors who might wish to suggest otherwise.
"It is likely that Sue Gray’s report will be published today. I will comment more comprehensively when I have had the time to read the report in full as I expect many of you will wish to do. "
Ms Kearns then went on to explain she's returned from a Foreign Affairs Committee trip to Ukraine, as fears grow over a Russian invasion.
"My radio silence has been because I’ve been in Ukraine since last Tuesday night as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee to learn first hand the threat of Putin to European security."
"I have been without my phone or Facebook, which I wasn't able to bring due to security concerns. If there’s any question of conflict on European soil, or a deployment of British soldiers, it’s important that MPs have the facts before them to make that decision.
"I will be responding to everyone who has written to me regarding the situation as quickly as I can, but I hope residents can understand that it takes time to respond to everyone."